1490per pers.

Horseback riding in North Iceland!

Book now and get 5% Early booking Discount

This tour is an ideal opportunity for everyone who wants to enjoy a comfortable ride in different types of landscape. We ride through unspoiled nature and get an excellent insight into Icelandic history when listening to stories from the Saga ages. Riding the horses on smooth sandy grounds is a joy for the rider and his mount. There is plenty of time to enjoy the unique gait “tölt” while exploring nature and the history of this outstanding area.

We start the ride at Hvammur Farm in Vatnsdalur valley. It is a thrilling experience riding in the water on our way across the lagoon called Lake Hóp. A visit to a seal colony on the North-Atlantic coast and the majestic Hvítserkur monolith is a wonderful thing to see.

Riding skills

Departures

Accommodation

2 - 4 bed units, beds with bed linen. Accommodation before and after the ride are to be arranged individually.

Note

Knee-high rubber boots are recommended for this ride

Reservation code

IH-18

What is included

Bus transfer from Reykjavík to the farm.

During the ride full board is provided. Our menu consists of a large breakfast and traditional Icelandic meals (fish or lamb). Vegetarian meals are available if requested when booking. All riders make their own packed lunch from the breakfast table.

Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price and are hard to get in the highlands. They can be bought at a reasonable price in the Duty Free Store at Keflavik Airport upon arrival.

Rain wear, water bottle, saddle bag, riding helmet.

Attention

• Individual travel insurance is not included in the tour price. We encourage clients to obtain relevant travel insurance before visiting Iceland.

• Flight to and from Iceland is not included

Day by day itinerary

Useful information

Accommodation

Day 1: Reykjavík – Hvammur – Vatnsdalur – SveinsstaðirPick up between 07:30 and 08:30 in the morningfrom pick up points in Reykjavik www.busstop.is.Please be ready at the earliest pickup time and be ready in your riding clothes. Transfer by bus from Reykjavík to Hvammur Farm, where we meet horses and guides. We start our ride through Vatnsdalur valley. This beautiful valley is the setting of the Vatnsdæla-Saga. We ride along the banks of River Vatnsdalsá before crossing over to the western side of the valley. Our ride ends at Sveinsstaðir Farm and we return to Hvammur Farm for our overnight stay. (Approx. 25 km)

Day 2: Hvammur – Sveinsstaðir – Hóp – Borgarvirki – Þverá – HvítserkurWe leave Sveinsstaðir Farm and ride alongside the lagoon Hóp. The black sand at the beach is ideal for riding tölt, the special gait of the Icelandic horse. This trail along the shore gives us an idea of the beautiful lagoon we are going to cross tomorrow. We ride along the banks of Víðidalsá River and cross over it. We take a break at Stóra-Borg where our lunch break is and drive to Borgarvirki, a fascinating fortress from the Viking ages. Then we continue our ride to the sheep pen Þverárétt. It is used by local farmers to sort the sheep in the autumn. Before returning to the guesthouse we take another excursion to the shore where we see Hvítserkur, a basalt rock formation, nesting place to many seabirds. This area is home to large numbers of seals and hopefully, we see many of them resting and playing on the beach. We spend the night again at Hammur Farm. (Approx. 30 km)

Day 3: Hvammur –North Atlantic – ThingeyrarToday we explore the beauty of the Vatnsnes peninsula and follow black dunes on Sigríðarstaðasandur towards the North-Atlantic. We have our lunch break on top of the ridge Nesbjörg where we enjoy the great view. Today we cross the lagoon Lake Hóp and follow a safe trail through the water on our way to Thingeyrar Farm, once the site of a monastery founded in the 12th century. For sure this day is one of the highlights of this ride. Relax in the outdoor hot tub at Hvammur Farm before a hearty dinner. (Approx. 40 km)

Day 4: Hvammur – Thingeyrar – Húnavatn – HvammurWe start the day with a visit to historic Thingeyrar Church. This is our last day of riding and we bring the horses back to Hvammur Farm. We cross Lake Húnavatn on a save trail in the water and enjoy the excitement of the horses once they have returned to the black sand on dry land. We ride on the eastern side of Vatnsdalur valley, past Hvammsfoss waterfall, surrounded by impressive basalt columns. Celebrate the successful return in the evening with great farewell dinner. (Approx. 25 km)

Day 5: Hvammur – ReykjavíkIt is time to say good bye to our guides and drive back to your accommodation in Reykjavík. Approx. arrival at 12:30 in Reykjavík.

– We reserve the right to alter the itinerary if necessary –

Here you can book your Flybus ticket to and from Reykjavík. The Flybus departs from Keflavík airport 35-40 minutes after each arrival. Busses are located right outside the terminal building. Book my ticket.

Please be ready at the earliest pick up time. Your accommodation might be the first one for pick up.

Terms & conditions:
Íshestar request a confirmation payment upon booking of minimum 30% of the tour price. When the confirmation payment is received the seat is secure. The remaining balance is due 6 weeks before the tour departs. If you book the tour through the website the full amount is requested.

Children’s under 12 years receive 25% discount on our multi day tours.

Liability:
Íshestar reserves the right to alter routes, itineraries or timetables without prior notice, should the necessity arise. No liability is accepted for loss or expenses due to delays or changes of arrival or departures of flights or other services, injury, sickness, accident, strikes, damage, negligence, weather, wars or other causes outside the control of Íshestar. All such losses and expenses are the personal liability of the traveller. The estimated duration of tours as indicated by km or timing can change according to road or weather conditions.

For more information please see also our Frequent Asked Questions and/or contact us at ishestar@ishestar.is

Hvammur farm is situated in the beautiful Vatnsdalur Valley which is so full of the old Sagas and has the famous salmon fishing river Vatnsdalsá running down the middle. The farmhouse was renevated 4 years ago and has a hot tub in the garden with a view over the river.

Number of rooms: 6 rooms
Number of beds: 2 – 4 beds in each room, altogether max 19
Outdoor jacuzzi: Yes
Number of showers: 2
GSM connection : Yes
WiFi: Yes
Made up beds: Yes
Number of WC: 2

Testimonials from happy riders

I will never forget my 60th birthday: riding a beautiful horse in a stunning landscape on a sunny day, together with a group of nice people and a herd of 80 horses, and a surprise birthday cake and party in the evening. Thank you Haukur and team from Hvammur farm. HS, DE

The experience of riding with a herd across stunning scenery is one you will never forget. GW, DK.